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Monday Night Football didn't disappoint in Week 1. In fact, it was such a back-and-forth thriller that NFL fans have proclaimed it the game of the year.
The game of the year candidate started with a slow burn while each offense got its footing underneath them. By the end of the third quarter, the score was 17-10 with the Baltimore Ravens on top. The last quarter and overtime were the catalysts for game-of-the-year talks.
Both teams traded scoring drives and turnovers. Neither team could stay ahead of the other for long. Ultimately, the Las Vegas Raiders eked out the win with a touchdown pass to Zay Jones.
Raiders vs Ravens game has NFL Twitter buzzing
You know the game is a worldie when it sends Twitter into a frenzy. After the Raiders ultimately picked up the win, fans were profusive in their praise. Ari Meirov, who covers all 32 teams for Pro Football Focus, is just one person who proclaimed it the game of the year.
There was back-and-forth action from the fourth quarter onward. After the Ravens completed a deep pass to Sammy Watkins, Latavius Murray scored to put them up 24-17. Derek Carr then led a drive that included a deep pass to Henry Ruggs III. It set up a touchdown for Darren Waller, who spun through two tacklers that tied it up.
Both teams traded field goals in the final 40 seconds that put them in overtime tied at 27. In OT, Carr threw a pick in the Ravens' end zone that gave the Ravens a chance to win. But Carl Nassib stripped Lamar Jackson and gave the Raiders possession in Baltimore territory. That's when Carr hit Jones for the game-winning TD.
A tough race for Game of the Year so far
There's a lot of competition for the game of the year after Week 1. The Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers played within one possession of each other the entire game. The Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs also had everyone on the edge of their seats.
But the Ravens and Raiders had a game's worth of drama in a short period of time. This was also the first game at Las Vegas' swanky new Allegiant Stadium, which was at full capacity. Raiders fans were boisterous throughout the proceedings. It's hard to argue with NFL fans on Twitter who have called this game of the year so far. If this is the kind of football we're in store for, this season will offer a lot of candidates.
